Excellence in Teaching

Dr. Pamela Peek

Dr. Pamela Peek has been a member of the CSU family since 1987 when she was a Visiting
Professor working on her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature. She completed her undergraduate
work at the University of South Carolina, with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Involvement
with the Future Teachers of America, helping other tutors, and feeling a desire to
make a difference in the classroom led her to pursue a Masters degree in Spanish.
It was during her Teaching Assistantship at USC that she realized she loved teaching
at the college level.

Dr. Peeks love for teaching, the Spanish language, and Spanish literature can be seen
in every class she teaches. Having the opportunity to know each student on a personal
basis enhances the learning environment established in the classroom, and also makes
the students feel more comfortable, which leads to them being more willing to participate
in class. Whether its in student conferences, interviews in Spanish, or tutoring,
she strives to challenge students to learn and develop their language skills.

Each summer, Dr. Peek takes students to Spain on CSUs Study Abroad Program. This is
a very intense four-week language and culture class in Salamanca, a historic pre-Roman
city, the site of the second oldest university in Europe. The students board with
Spanish families, which immerses them in the Spanish language and culture. It also
provides them with a good environment in which to gain experience firsthand, since
most of the families do not speak English. During the week, the students have daily
classes in conversation, grammar, composition, and culture with Dr. Peek and native
Spanish instructors. On Saturdays, she and the students make trips to other cities,
visiting museums, churches, and notable historic sites. They worship together on Sundays,
after which the students are free to pursue their own activities in Salamanca.

But Dr. Peek is good at more than just Spanish. She also enjoys writing stories and
poetry, and playing the autoharp, organ, and handbells.